Spectacle frame

ABSTRACT

Spectacle frame comprising a lens retaining portion (A) with lateral extensions (A&#39;) allowing flexible articulation of the side arms (C), characterized in that said extensions (A&#39;) are hollow and open in the direction of the side arms (C), each side arm (C) being provided with a connection part (B) having an internal transverse slot (3). Each side arm is provided with an S-shaped spring (1) that forms hooks (1&#39;, 1&#34;) at each end, the first end (1&#39;) being insertable into slot (3) of connection part (B), while the other end (1&#34;) is insertable into hollow extension (A&#39;), which is so formed as to allow articulation of arms (C).

The following invention relates to spectacle frames. The innovationfinds particular and convenient application in spectacle frames allowingelastic yielding of the arms during the use of the spectacles and whenthe arms are folded.

In the present state of the art there is a plurality of devices thatallow the elastic yielding of the arm. These are divided substantiallyinto three types:

devices for elastic yielding which are incorporated into the hinges ofthe arm of the spectacle frame,

arms provided with traditional hinges and separate devices for elasticyielding, and finally,

arms provided likewise with known hinges and using simple elastic partsinterposed between the elements that constitute the rod of the arm,particularly the one found in the plastic rod, (see the Italian patentApplication No. 83501 A/83 in the name of the same applicant, filed on15.11.1983, entitled "Flexible spectacle arm whose length can beregulated with incorporated hinge and relative frame and spectacles").This solution substantially incorporates in the arm the hinge whosehinging pin is connected by elastic traction spring means to the end ofthe arm.

The disadvantages according to the above solutions consist in thatnearly all the devices of elastic yielding, particularly those providedwith a separate hinge group, involve the use of different elements,which are often complex and of difficult form and besides of noteablecost. Furthermore, breakage even only of one element necessitates thesubstitution of the whole arm. Another disadvantage is that when thespectacles are not used and the arms are not folded, they projectoutward which may lead to a damage of the spectacles. U.S. Pat. No.3,531,190 makes use of a sole and unique flexible member connectedbetween the end of each arm and a corresponding lateral extension of thefront frame for ensuring both normal pivoting of the arm between itsfolded position and its normal open position, as well as extra pivotingof the arm beyond the normal open position. In this reference, theflexible member is a strip of spring metal, not an S-shaped springforming a hook at each end. One end of the flexible member is pivotablyattached to the arm end by means of a pivot, not inserted in atransverse slot, while the other end of the flexible member ispermanently attached to the lateral extension of the front frame, notremovably insertable into an open cavity of such an extension. Thisarrangement prevents easy substitution of the flexible member by areplacement. GB-A-317689 proposes to use a connection spring to enablethe side arms to be bent beyond the normal position. However, separatepivots are used for closing the frame.

The aim of the following invention is to obviate the above-mentioneddisadvantages.

The following invention remedies these problems.

The advantages obtained by this solution consist essentially in thesimplification and reduction of the number of elements, in increasingthe proficiency of the elasticity characteristics, and in facilitatingthe putting on of the spectacles and the closure of the arms. Finallythe solution enables an easy substitution of the elastic spring or ofthe arm, respectively.

One preferable embodiment is shown in the drawings whose details are notto be seen as limiting but only illustrative.

FIG. 1 represents a schematic front view of a spectacle frame;

FIG. 2 represents a plan view of the spectacle frame as shown in FIG. 1representing the yielding-hinging system of the arm;

FIG. 3 represents an enlarged plan sectional view of the arm's hinge;

FIG. 4 represents a lateral view.

The above-mentioned figures disclose a spectacle frame A provided withlateral extentions A' and an arm C. The arm C comprises a metallic endconnecting part B in a parallelepiped form which is provided on theinside with a transversal slot 3. The slot 3 in the arm B is formed inproximity to the respective end edge that terminates orthogonally. Onthe inner side of the extention A', whose form is also parallelepiped, asimilar slot seat 2 is provided. An S-shaped spring 1 is formed in sucha way that its hook end 1' can be inserted in the slot 3 of the arm C,while the other hook end 1" is engaged in the extension A', with thisextremity 1" abuting in said seat slot 2. The S-shaped spring is encasedin the extension A' nearly in contact with the lateral walls and beingshaped to a "U", allowing the end 1" to engage into the slot 2. Theinner part at the lateral extension A' is removed to allow theconnection part B of the respective arm C to rotate inside.

A light pressure on the arm C towards the outside results in the flexionand stretching of the spring 1, whereas the arm can be freely rotatedbecause the hook end 1' of the spring (1) is inserted in the end groove3.

Naturally, other details of the embodiment may vary without changing thescope of protection as claimed in the characteristing parts of thefollowing claims.

We claim:
 1. A spectacle frame comprising a lens retaining portion (A)with lateral extensions (A') allowing flexible articulation of the sidearms (C), characterised in that said extensions (A') are hollow and openin the direction of the side arms (C), each side arm (C) being providedwith a connection part (B) having an internal transverse slot (3), andthat, for each side arm, an S-shaped spring is situated in the hollow ofsaid extension (A') (1), said spring forming a hook (1', 1") at eachend, and the first end (1') being insertable into said slot (3) ofconnection part (B) while the other end (1") is insertable into saidhollow extension (A'), said extension (A') being formed to allowarticulation of said arms (C).
 2. A frame as claimed in claim 1,characterised in that said other end (1") of the connection spring (1)is "U" shaped with one extermity abuting in a respective inside proppingseat (2) of said extension (1').
 3. A frame as claimed in claim 1characterised in that at the end (B) of the arm (C) a tooth is formed(4) to allow the clapping of the end (1') of the flexion spirng (1) andto realize a head end abutment.
 4. A frame as claimed in claim 1characterised in that each said spectacle frame extension (A') has apart of the respective extremity inner surface asported to allow thehooked extremity (B) of the respective arm (C) to rotate in insidedirection.